A Call to Arms, Inspired by Elf Power

Last night, a dark room filled with dancing hipsters, hookah-lovers and music snobs all gathered at Chronic Town to watch Elf Power, an indie-pop band perform. The show, held in the hookah lounge/headshop/vinyl provider was just one of many that are being held at the venue.

Elf Power playing last night kicked off a great week for Chronic Town. The night was a serene one, as I sat in the corner smoking pina colada flavored hookah watching everyone settle in. Laying pillows on the ground, the audience began to form.

The show started with an independent film that was too bizarre to even describe and left the crowd stunned. Then the opening band, a ’90s post grunge rock band, brought the audience out of their trance. Their performance got members of the crowd tapping their feet and bopping heads, but what fans were really interest in was the headliner, Elf Power.

Known for coming from Elephant Six, the same label as Apples in Stereo, Of Montreal and Neutral Milk Hotel, Elf power definitely has a great family of indie rockers. Touring off their newest self-titled album released last week on Orange Twin was the primary focus of the night.

Before thanking the crowd, they played a dozen or so songs, like “Spidereggs.” Elf Power swooned the crowd. Their sound, upon a lengthy comparison and analysis, is reminiscent of R.E.M and old Death Cab for Cutie. which provided for a chill atmosphere.

Once the char on the hookah was burnt out, the ashtray was full and the band’s fingers were starting to weaken, the show ended around 1 a.m. As the crowd funneled out the magnificent staircase of the revamped lounge, it was obvious that indie rock had left a mark on the crowd.

The show was great, the kid dancing on too many mushrooms was hilarious and, not to mention, it’s still one of the only places you can smoke and get away with indoors.

Chronic Town is known for putting little shows like this together. The band Drink Up, Buttercup, a group that’s known in the area as for its great shows, plays tonight.

Talking to one of the current owners, Jesse Ruegg, shed some light on the current music scene. “This is the kind of place that it’s only big enough to bring a certain level of bands; there’s not a lot of support in the indie music scene in State College.”

What indie music seems to need is support from other groups; anyone interested in bringing real shows back to the State College area needs to collaborate. This is a call to arms for all indie rockers, hipsters or just plain music lovers.

This isn’t a Glenn Beck protest rally like Jon Stewart by any means.

Let’s get a scene together of more than a few sweater-vested scenesters, but an actual gathering of people who appreciate music. This is to any music groups on campus, any venues willing to host off campus and anyone willing to contribute to the cause.